Pamela Braddon’s potentially golden weekend could start tonight with All A Blaze looking a major contender for tonight’s Group 2 Unibet Richmond Oaks (535m).
All A Blaze ($3.50 with Sportsbet) jumps from box three and looks a strong chance for the $36,000-to-the-winner decider after she qualified for the final after finishing a very close second to Duna Runa in her heat.
All A Blaze has been drawn outside favourite Mitcharlie Mia (box two, $3) but Braddon believes the draw has given her greyhound some hope.
“Paul (Braddon, husband) said she needed to be in the first four to have a chance and that’s what she’s got,” she said.
“She was the quickest over the 500 metres on the night and I’ve no doubt she’s strong enough for this distance. Duna Runa was just too good for her last week.
“Realistically, Mitcharlie Mia is the one to beat and All A Blaze will have to do everything right to win but it’s a final - you never know.”
All A Blaze won at Richmond from box four two starts back in 30.48, backing up previously impressive triumphs at Goulburn and Bathurst.
“She missed the kick on her first few starts but now she’s starting really well,” Pamela Braddon said.
“She’s inexperienced compared to others in the field but if she can get a break at the first bend and lead, who knows?
“Our last Group win was in the Magic Maiden almost exactly 10 years ago with Modern Supreme, so it would be fitting to get another one here.”
While Mitcharlie Mia looks ideally drawn in box two, all eight finalists have claims in this high quality decider, which is for female greyhounds only.
Star Torana (box four, $5.50) showed how talented she is with an impressive 30.55 win in her heat last week.
Duna Runa ($5), from the gun Jason Mackay kennel, looks to have drawn unfavourably but has won her last three starts and qualified for this final in 30.44.
The Oaks is part of a terrific night’s racing at Richmond which also features the Group 2 Remedial Waterproofing Richmond Derby for male greyhounds.
Knight Sprite (box four) is the red hot $1.80 favourite with Sportsbet after his commanding performance in last week’s heat.
If All A Blaze can take out the Richmond Oaks, it could be the start of a big weekend for Braddon who also has two runners in Sunday night’s Temora Cup (457m) - Tango’s Express (box two) and Marbo’s Magic in box eight.
Both look strong chances, with Braddon rating Tango’s Express as her best chance thanks to the favourable box draw.
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